Impulse counter



Feb. 12, 1963 F. scHRTER 3,077,545

IMPULSE COUNTER Filed March 24, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

I m 1/ L L Feb. 12, 1963 F. $CHR6TER 3,077,546

IMPULSE COUNTER Filed March 24, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.3

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INVENTOR.

F. SCHR6TER 3,077,546

IMPULSE COUNTER Feb. 12, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 24, 1959 vvvuINVENZOR. FRITZ SCHROTER nited States Patent ()fihce artists 3,t)77,546HMPULSE (IGUN'EER Fritz Schriiter, End Godesherg, Germany, assignor toRingsdortf-Werhe Gasnhfi, liiad Godesberg-Mehiern, Germany, a company ofGermany Fitted Mar. 24, 1959, Ser. No. $91,695

Claims priority, appiication Germany Mar. 27, 1953 The present inventionrelates to an impulse counter of the type which comprises a rotor memberand two electromagnetic pole systems each of which, when energized, isadapted to rotate said rotor for a part of one step.

Counters for electrical impulses operate under the action of two forces.The first force, which for example is produced by the electricalimpulses to be counted, actuates a rotating member, while the secondforce also acting upon said rotating member restores the initialcondition, i.e. completes the counting step initiated by said firstforce so that the counter is again ready to receive the next followingimpulse. With the known ratchet counters, the second force is, by way ofexample, produced by a spring tensioned by the magnet which is energizedby the impulse. In addition, a stop for the movement must be providedwhich is caused by the impulse. With the ratchet counter, this limit isprovided by the armature which engages the energizing magnet and therefinds its terminal position.

Ratchet counters, however, admit of no high impulse rate, and their lifeis not very long owing to the impact stress at the joints. Suchdisadvantages are eliminated by counters operating according to theprinciple of the electric motor. The usual design provides a toothedrotor formed of iron of which the teeth are alternately attracted by twoelectromagnetic pole systems. One of the drawbacks involved consists inthat they require two pulses following each other for each countingstep, each of which pulses energizes one of said pole systems. The twoimpulses constitute two halfsteps of which the second returns the rotorto its initial position, is. completes the counting cycle. The secondimpulse may he dispensed with if the second pole system is formed by apermanent magnet. In this case, the impulses to be counted are calledupon to exercise a substantial force in order to remove the rotor fromthe permanent system. This is undesirable in view of the load to whichthe impulse transmitter contacts are subjected. A further disadvantageof motor counters is the absence of an amplitude limit. If the impulseis more powerful than necessary to overcome the resistance of thecounting member and friction, the rotor may move too far and count oneimpulse twice.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an impulsecounter of the motor type with a toothed iron rotor and twoelectromagnetic pole systems which requires only one current pulse foreach impulse and of which the movement is effectively braked when theterminal position is reached.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an impulsecounter which needs one impulse only per each counting step of reducedenergy.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an impulsecounter which contains electromagnetic means to avoid a double countingof one impulse.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a powerfulimpulse counter of the mentioned type, which is adapted to be energizedby pulses closely following each other in irregular intervals.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an impulsecounter having a toothed rotor and two electromagnetic pole systems inelectrically parallel relationship. In serial connection with the firstof said pole systems is a capacity, while the second pole system isPatented Feb. 12, 1963 serially connected with an inductance, so that animpulse applied to said two pole systems, first energizes said firstpole system and, thereafter, said second pole system.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description, taken in connection with the attacheddrawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a plan view of an impulse counter includingthe wiring diagram,

FIG. 2 a graph showing the exiting current in the different windings ofthe counter shown in FIG. 1, in dependency of time,

FIG. 3 a wiring diagram of another embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 a graph showing the exiting current in the windings of thediagram of FIG. 3, in dependency of time, and

FIG. 5 is a Wiring diagram of another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a rotor 3 made of ferromagneticmaterial having several radially extending poles or teeth. The rotor maybe mechanically connected to a counter mechanism well known in the art.Two electromagnetic pole systems 1 and 2 each having a core providedwith e.g. two pole shoes and a winding arranged on said core areprovided as stator elements. The distance between the pole shoes of saidpole systems corresponds to the distance between the poles or teeth ofthe rotor 3. The pole systems are so arranged that, when one pole systemhas attracted the poles of the rotor 3, the pole shoes of the remainingpole system are facing the space between two other poles of the rotor 3.

The winding 4 of the pole system 1 is serially connected to a capacitor5 and a resistor 6, while the winding 7 of the pole system 2 is seriallyconnected to an inductance 8 and a resistor 9. These two circuits arearranged in parallel and are connected to the terminals 11 by a switchit).

The pole system 1 moves the rotor teeth in the direction of the arrowwhen energized by an impulse applied to the terminals 11 when the switch10 is closed. The current in system 1 performs a damped oscillation ofwhich the frequency and damping factor are determined by the capacity ofthe capacitor 5 and the resistor 6. The curve is plotted in FIG. 2. Thereference symbol a designates the current path in system 1, b that inthe system 2. The current in system 2 increases as an e-function at arate determined by the magnitude of the inductance 3 and the resistor 9.i

At the time t (FIG. 2) the magnetic flux in the system 1 is assumed tohave beco .e powerful enough to attract the rotor teeth. The magneticflux in the system 2 is still very small so that the movement of therotor is not impeded.

According to this invention, this slight impediment due to the systemmay be avoided by applying to the second pole system a compensatingcoil, as shown in the wiring diagram of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, thecoil 7 corresponding to the winding of the pole system 2 is divided intothe sections 7a and 7b which are opposed as indicated by the arrows,both sections being physically members of the pole system 2; section 7a,however, is included in the circuit of the pole system 1. The ratio ofturns in the sections 7a and 7b is so selected that the ampere turns inthe pole system 2 just cancel one another at the time 1, (FIG. 2). Thepath of the magnetic fiux in the second pole system is represented inFIG. 4. The reference symbol b is the current path in the coil 7b and cthat in 701. Both form the resultant d which passes zero at the time 13.

The current in system 1 passing through zero at the time 1, (FIG. 2),this system cannot hold the rotor; the latter passes below it and isthen engaged by the system 2 which corneas has n eanwhile becomehighlyenergized, and brought into initial position. As the rotor has beengiven a certain speed by the system 1 and. is further accelerated by thesystem 2, a brake must be provided which brings the rotor to rest undersystem 2. A mechanical brake would not be advantageous since it does notoperate uniformly and free from wear.

The invention provides an eddy-current brake. The system 2 isequippedwith a winding 12 formed ofa highly conducting metal (FIG. 1).This brake operates only when the system 2 is-energized' and does nottherefore interfere with starting. However, if the rotor passes-belowthe energized system 2, the change in the magnetic resistance causesflux fluctuations below the rotor teeth which induce electric currentsin 1 2 which in turn brake the rotor movement. The braking action caneasily be regulated by the size of the cross-section and of the electricresistance ofthe winding 12.

The winding 12 alsodelays the generation ofthe magnetic field in thesystem 2 when the coil 7 is energized. It has therefore the same effectas the-series-connected inductance 8 and can thus replace it, whichenables a substantial saving in the construction to be obtained.

Provided; that the terminals 11 are connected to a DC. voltage source,-the counter disclosed springs into its-finai position immediatelywhentheswitchltl'is turnedon and remains in this position-irrespective of thedurationof the current impulse. In contradistinction' to the knownarrangements, no overload is produced at the switch upon interruption;the electromagnetic energy is equalized indie-two pole systems withoutinvolving the switch confacts. As-current passes through both coils 7aand 7b after interrupting, the rotor is heldby the system 2- alsoafterwards. Itcannot therefore be pulled away by the system 1 ofwhichthe coil 4 is re-energized by the discharge current of thecapacityS'after interrupting. After decay of the equalization process, thecounter is again ready to receive a new impulse.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that suchobvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus describedthe invention, what is claimedas new anddesired'tobe secured by Letters Patent, is:

l-. An-electric impulse counter of the motor type, which comprises:a'rotor having a plurality of radially extending substantially evenlyspaced poles; a first electromag; netic system having a first core withat least one pole shoe and having first coil means arranged on saidfirst core; a second electromagnetic system having a second core with atleast one pole shoe and, having second coil means arranged on saidsecond core; said two systems being so arranged that the pole shoe ofone system is facing-- the space between two poles of said rotor whensaid pole shoe of'said other system is facing another pole ofs'aid'rotor; a first circuit comprising in serial arrangee ment a capacitor, aresistor, and said first coil means; a second circuitin serialarrangement comprising an inductance, a second resistor, and said secondcoil means; said two circuits being arranged in a closed circuit; andmeans for connecting a sourceof' electric current to said first andsecondcircuits. and for disconnecting it, therefrom, whereby said firstcircuit when supplied with an impulse by said source of electric currentwill energize said first coil. means after a first predeterminedinterval and whereby said second circuit when supplied with saidenergizing impulse will energize said second coil means after a second.predetermined interval; said second interval being. longer. thansaidfirst interval, so that said rotor will be turned.

2; An electric impulse counter of the motor type, comprising a rotorhaving a plurality ofradially extending substantially evenlyspacedpoles; a first electromagnetic system having afirst corewith two poleshoes and having first coil means arranged on said first core; a secondelectromagnetic system having a second core with two pole shoes andsecond coil means arranged on said second core; said two systems beingso arranged that the pole shoes of one system are facing the spacesbetween poles of said rotor when said two pole shoes of said othersystem are facing poles of said rotor; a first circuit comprising inserial arrangement a capacitor, a resistor and said first coil means; asecond circuit comprising in serial arrangement an inductance, a secondresistor and said second coil means; said two circuits being in parallelfor connection with a source of electric current and being arranged in aclosed circuit, means for connecting said source of electric current tosaid first and second circuits and for disconnecting it therefrom,whereby said first circuit when supplied with an impulse from saidsource of electric current, will energize said first coil means after afirst predetermined interval, and said second circuit when supplied withsaid impulse will energize said second coil means after a secondpredetermined interval, saidsecond interval being longer than said firstinterval so that said rotor will be turned.

3. Anelectric impulse counter according to claim 2, wherein eddy currentcoil means'is arranged onsaid core ofsaid second electromagnetic systemcompletely surrounding. the core.

4. An electric impulse counter of the motor type, comprising a rotorhaving a plurality of radially extending substantially evenly spacedpoles; a first electromagnetic system having a first core with two poleshoes and having first coil means arranged on said first core; a secondelectromagnetic system having a second core with two pole shoes andhaving secondcoil means arranged on said second core, said second coilmeans being sub-divided into two sections; said twosystems being soarranged'that the pole shoes of one system are facing the spaces betweenpoles of said rotor. when said two pole shoes of said other system arefacing poles of said rotor; a first circuit comprising in serialarrangement a capacitor, a resistor, said first coil means, and onesection of said second coil means; a second circuit comprismg inserialarrangcment an inductance, a second resistor and said othersection of said second coil means; said two circnitsbeing in parallelfor connection with a source of electric current and being arranged inaclosed circuit, means for connecting said source of electric current tosaid first and second circuits and for disconnecting it therefrom,whereby said first circuit, when supplied with art-impulse from saidsource of electric current, will energize said first coil means after afirst predetermined interval; and said second circuit when supplied;with said impulse, will energize said second coil means after a secondpredetermined interval, said second interval being longer than saidfirst interval so thatsaid rotor will be turned.

5-. An electric impulse counter. according to claim 4, wherein eddycurrent coil' means isarrauged on said core of said secondelectromagnetic system and completely surrounding said core.

6. An electric impulse counter according to claim 4, wherein said twosections of said second coil means are so arranged as to compensate themagnetic fluxes of each other.

said two systems being so arranged that the pole shoe of one system isfacing the space between two, poles of said rotor when said pole shoe ofsaid other system is facing another pole of said rotor; a first circuitcomprising in serial arrangement a capacitor, a resistor, and said firstcoil means; a second circuit comprising in serial arrangement a secondresistor and said second coil means; said two circuits being arranged ina closed circuit, means for connecting said source of electric currentto said first and second circuits and for disconnecting it therefrom,whereby said first circuit, when supplied with an impulse from saidsource of electric current will energize said first coil means after afirst predetermined interval, and said second circuit when supplied withsaid impulse will energize said second coil means .after a secondpredetermined interval; said second interval being longer than saidfirst interval so that said rotor will turn.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. AN ELECTRIC IMPULSE COUNTER OF THE MOTOR TYPE, WHICH COMPRISES: AROTOR HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY EVENLYSPACED POLES; A FIRST ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEM HAVING A FIRST CORE WITH ATLEAST ONE POLE SHOE AND HAVING FIRST COIL MEANS ARRANGED ON SAID FIRSTCORE; A SECOND ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEM HAVING A SECOND CORE WITH AT LEASTONE POLE SHOE AND HAVING SECOND COIL MEANS ARRANGED ON SAID SECOND CORE;SAID TWO SYSTEMS BEING SO ARRANGED THAT THE POLE SHOE OF ONE SYSTEM ISFACING THE SPACE BETWEEN TWO POLES OF SAID ROTOR WHEN SAID POLE SHOE OFSAID OTHER SYSTEM IS FACING ANOTHER POLE OF SAID ROTOR; A FIRST CIRCUITCOMPRISING IN SERIAL ARRANGEMENT A CAPACITOR, A RESISTOR, AND SAID FIRSTCOIL MEANS; A SECOND CIRCUIT IN SERIAL ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING AN IN-